Soak the stain in coke until the stain is dissolved, then wash
the clothing as usual. Wash before the coke dries, though.

16) Honey: Remove Blemish Overnight

Have a blemish you need to get rid of by tomorrow? Put a dab of
honey on the blemish and cover it up (it’s best to use a Band-Aid) and the
honey’s natural antibacterial properties will clean out the bacteria by the
morning.

17) Wax Paper: Clean Can Opener Gears

Run a few small strips of wax paper through the can opener to
clean out of the bits and pieces that have built up in the gears throughout the
year. The wax will also rub off on the gears to protect for future use as well.

18) WD-40: Remove Crayons from Walls

Use the lubricant and a cloth to remove stubborn crayon marks
from the walls just by spraying the wall and wiping with a cloth.

19) Chalk: Keep Ants and Slugs Out of the House

Ants and Slugs Won’t Touch Chalk. So, simply draw a line in
front of your doorway where you are having problems with these pesky critters
and they won’t cross it, meaning they won’t be able to get into your house.

20) Vinegar: Kills Weeds and Helps Flowers Grow

Vinegar is a magic wonder when it comes to gardening. It not
only kills weeds but they help flowers grow as well. Douse vinegar all around
your garden to prevent weeds from popping up and to help your flowers to grow
healthy and strong.

21) Mayonnaise: Remove Bumper Sticker

Spread mayonnaise on the bumper sticker and let sit for at least
thirty minutes. Then, rub the sticker off with a towel, leaving a clean bumper!

22) Tin Foil Ball: Replace Dryer Sheets Permanently

Instead of using a dryer sheet ball up one or a few sheets of
tin foil and toss it in the dryer. It removes the static electricity from your
clothes and one can last up to a year.

23) Banana Peel: Polish Leather Shoes

Use the inside of a banana peel to give shoes a professional and
natural shine that will last for quite some time.

24) Mouthwash: Cure Athlete’s Foot

Pour mouthwash on cotton balls and then swab your feet. The
alcohol will disinfect the bacteria completely if you continue this for a week
or so.

25) Baking Soda: Clean BBQ Grill

Mix a cup of baking soda with half a cup water to make a paste.
Dip your brush into the paste and scrub the grill. The caked on pieces and
black residue will come off much quicker and using baking soda is much safer
and cheaper than using cleaning chemicals.

26) Coffee Grounds: Fertilizer

Coffee is full of nutrients and vitamins that are very
beneficial to soil. That’s why some people include it in compost piles. If you
want to get the most out of your coffee, pour the grounds on areas where you
want more grass or flowers.

27) Olive Oil: Shaving Cream

The smoothness of the oil can replace the need for shaving
cream, and it also provides great moisture.

28) Dryer Sheets: Gets Rid of Static Electricity

Use dryer sheets to remove static electricity from things such
as clothing, TV screens or your own hair. Tame fly away strands by running a
dryer sheet over them.

29) Freezer: Freeze Candles to Make Them Last Longer

Put candles in the freezer for at least 2 hours before using.
Once you burn them, the wax will melt at a much slower pace, making them last
much longer!

30) Two glasses of water: Cure Headache

Water is the cure to most common headaches. To make the headache
go away quickly, drink two cups of water very quickly.

31) Lemons: Deodorize Garbage Disposal

Toss whole slices of lemon into the garbage disposal then run
it. The acidity of the lemon will rid your sink of all odors and leave a fresh
scent that usually lasts for a few months.

32) Alka Seltzer: Remove Burnt-On Grease and Food Stains

When letting your pots and pans soak, throw in one or two Alka
Seltzer tablets and the caked on residue from cooking will come off easily when
you scrub/wash.

33) Apple Cider Vinegar: Relieve Diarrhea

Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into eight ounces of
water to soothe your stomach. The taste may not be the greatest, but the
antibacterial properties of the vinegar will end the unpleasantness of the
bowel problems.

34) Toothpaste: Remove Scratches from Glass

Apply toothpaste to scratch, then rub with a cloth until the
scratch is gone. Make sure the glass is clean beforehand.

35) Cheerios: Relieve Pain from Poison Ivy, Chickenpox and
Sunburns

Pound one to four cups of Cheerios into a powder and add to your
bath to soothe your skin while you soak. You may not feel relief while in the
tub, but you will soon after.

36) Buttons: Sort Earrings

Organize your earrings and prevent them from becoming entangled
by using spare buttons as holders for each pair.

37) Corn Oil: Prevent Hairballs for Pets

Add a few drops of corn oil to your pets’ food to prevent
hairballs from forming. The thick oil helps the fur pass through the animal’s
system much quicker and easily.

38) Whipped Cream: Remove Gum from Hair

There are many remedies for removing gum from hair, but this is
a lesser known one. Give it a try rather than peanut butter the next time
you’re in need.

39) Coke: Remove Oil Stains from the Driveway

Oil stains are very difficult to remove pavement, but one method
guaranteed to work is Coke. The highly acidic drink will eat away at the oil
until clean.

40) Brown Sugar: Facial Scrub

A scrub is good to do about once a month to remove dead skin and
bacteria built up in pores and remove excess oil from the skin. Brown sugar
does just as well as expensive products and will definitely result in a clearer
and smoother complexion.

41) Dryer Sheet: Lint Brush

You already know that dryer sheets remove lint in the dryer.
Well, it can do the same thing out of the dryer, too. When you’re in a fix, use
a dryer sheet. It works just as well as a lint brush, and if you like the
scent, it’s an added bonus.

For that stinky Tupperware or smelly refrigerator drawer that is
too much to deal with, toss in a sheet of newspaper overnight before you deal
with it. The paper will absorb the smell greatly reducing it or eliminating it
completely.

43) Olive Oil: Un-stick a Zipper

The oil will help the zipper slide more easily, fixing the
problem!

44) Salt: Cool Something Quickly

You know that feeling when you’re having a BBQ and someone asks
for a drink and you realize that no one has put them in the cooler? There’s
nothing worse than a warm drink on a hot day. Chill a drink quickly, by adding
salt and water to your ice. The drinks will be cold in a matter of minutes;
saving your party and making you look smart all at once.

45) Scotch Tape: Prevent Wall from Chipping When Nailing

The wall can leave unsightly chips when hammering in a nail.
Prevent this by simply placing a piece of scotch tape over the area you’re
going to nail. The wall will be held tighter, preventing chips from occurring.

46) Alka Seltzer: Soothe Insect Bites

Dissolve two tablets into a glass of water. Then use a cloth or
cotton ball to apply it to the affected area. The red will go down and most
importantly, the itchiness will vanish usually in fifteen minutes.

47) Lemon: Whitens Whites

Add about half a cup of lemon juice to your load of whites to
makes them extra white. You can use lemon juice with bleach or detergent, so
don’t worry about mixing chemicals with the acidic lemon.

48) Banana Peel: Whiten Teeth

This may sound a little odd, but rub the inside of a banana peel
on your teeth twice a day for two weeks and you will receive the same effect
from a teeth-whitening kit. Plus, you’ll save yourself money and the hassle of
using chemicals.

49) Hair Dryer: Free Photos Stuck on Pages

If you have a photo stuck on a page that you can’t get free, try
using a blow dryer on the back of the page. It will loosen the photo from the
page and the adhesive holding it there.

50) Banana Peel: Heal Most Skin Problems

Bananas are the magical fruit, because they heal many common
problems on the skin. By rubbing the peel on your skin, you can heal bruises
and cuts and eliminate rashes, itching and warts. Basically if you have a
common skin problem, it can be cured by this fruit.

Monday, July 22, 2013

1. Protects silver from tarnishing. 2. Removes road tar and grime from cars. 3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings. 4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery. 5. Keeps flies off cows. (I love this one!) 6. Restores and cleans chalkboards. 7. Removes lipstick stains. 8. Loosens stubborn zippers. 9. Untangles jewelry chains. 10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks. 11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill. 12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing. 13. Removes tomato stains from clothing. 14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots. 15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors. 16. Keeps scissors working smoothly. 17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes. 18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks. 19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40! 20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide. 21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers... 22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises. 23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.. 24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close. 25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers. 26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles. 27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans 28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling. 29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly. 30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools. 31. Removes splattered grease on stove. 32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging. 33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs. 34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell). 35. Removes all traces of duct tape. 36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain. 37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.' 38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements. 39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states. 40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch. 41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag. 42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone! 43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start. P.S. The basic ingredient is Fish Oil

Saturday, July 20, 2013

1. Moisturizer – simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face.2. Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.3. Preshave – coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.4. Aftershave – coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores.5. Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!6. Hair Conditioner/Deep Treatment - use as a leave in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest! For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight.7. Hair Gel/Defrizzer – rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).8. Toothpaste – there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.9. Make up remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!10. Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection!11. Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub!12. Lubricant – it is an all natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex!13. Sunscreen14. Stretch Mark Cream – coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help.15. Nipple Cream – works great to nourish cracked, sore, or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings.16. Diaper salve – very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.17. Cradle cap – having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.18. Body scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.19. Healing - when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.20. Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.21. Skin problems – coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.22. Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.General Health and Wellness23. Stress Relief - relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.24. Digestion - the saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control, parasites, and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around.25. Fitness - coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle.26. Nose bleeds - coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme hotness and extreme coldness. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in you nostrils. Coat your finger with coconut oil and then lie down and coat your finger inside your nose. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages. A Vitamin C supplement will also help prevent nose bleeding.27. For breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich your milk supply.28. Helps with weight loss & controlling cravings.29. Helps keep blood sugar levels stable and/or helps with cravings in those with diabetes.Health Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when taken internally)30. Eczema – in addition to taking it internally, many have success applying it externally, some don't31. Skin problems32. Toenail fungus33. Hot flashes34. Bleeding hemorrhoids (can also be applied externally twice a day)35. HIV36. Head lice37. Improvements in menstruation regarding pain/cramps and heavy blood flow38. Migraines (with regular use)39. Mononucleosis40. Parasites41. Thrush42. Relieve gallbladder pain43. Has helped some people improve symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, results have shown subsequent thyroid blood tests becoming normal44. Energy boost45. Flaky, dry skin46. May relieve acid reflux and indigestion when taken with each meal47. Adrenal fatigue48. Alzheimers49. H. pylori50. Candida albicans51. Asthma, even in children52. Autism53. Cholesterol - improves HDL ('good' cholesterol) to LDL ('bad' cholesterol) ratio in people with high cholesterol54. Chronic fatigue55. Circulation/feeling cold all the time56. Stronger immune system57. Mental Clarity58. Depression59. Helps with inflammation in CrohnsHealth Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when applied topically)60. Athletes foot61. Back pain/sore muscles62. Canker sores63. Acne64. Cellulite65. Herpes (applied topically and taken internally)66. Genital warts (through topical application over 6 weeks, and coconut oil enemas twice a day depending on the location of the warts)67. Circumcision healing – although I am personally against circumcision, I have read that coconut oil is a really great healer for this.Cooking68. Use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing other oils/butter in recipes with coconut oil.69. Replacement for butter/lard/Crisco/PAM in it’s solid form – greasing pans, pie crusts, etc.70. Replacement for various oils in liquid form – baking, cooking, sautéing, etc.71. Nutritional supplement – melt and add to smoothies.Other Uses72. Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over exposed skin. Keeps insects off better than anything with Deet! Tons safer too.73. Great for dogs and cats for general wellness. Just add a teaspoon to their water bowl daily.74. Goo Gone - just mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda into a paste. Apply to the “sticky” area and let it set for a minute. Then scrub off with an old toothbrush or the scrubby side of a sponge.75. Chewing Gum in Hair Remover – just rub some coconut oil over the stuck chewing gum, leave in for about 30 minutes, then roll the gum between your fingertip. Voila! It’s out!76. Polish Furniture - coconut oil with a little bit of lemon juice to polish wood furniture. However, I recommend you test it first on a very small, unobtrusive part of your furniture to make sure it works the way you’d like.77. Polishing Bronze - all you have to do is rub a little oil into a cotton towel and then wipe down the statue. It cleans and helps deepen the color of your bronze.78. Seasoning animal hide drums79. Seasoning cookware80. Moisturizing and cleaning leather products

Be sure to buy organic coconut oil. Most Walmarts carry it on the aisle with the other cooking oils (it's less than $7 at mine), also health stores should have them as well.Personal Hygiene/Body:

1. Moisturizer – simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face.2. Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.3. Preshave – coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.4. Aftershave – coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores.5. Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!6. Hair Conditioner/Deep Treatment - use as a leave in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest! For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight.7. Hair Gel/Defrizzer – rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).8. Toothpaste – there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.9. Make up remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!10. Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection!11. Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub!12. Lubricant – it is an all natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex!13. Sunscreen14. Stretch Mark Cream – coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help.15. Nipple Cream – works great to nourish cracked, sore, or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings.16. Diaper salve – very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.17. Cradle cap – having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.18. Body scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.19. Healing - when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.20. Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.21. Skin problems – coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.22. Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.General Health and Wellness23. Stress Relief - relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.24. Digestion - the saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control, parasites, and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around.25. Fitness - coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle.26. Nose bleeds - coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme hotness and extreme coldness. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in you nostrils. Coat your finger with coconut oil and then lie down and coat your finger inside your nose. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages. A Vitamin C supplement will also help prevent nose bleeding.27. For breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich your milk supply.28. Helps with weight loss & controlling cravings.29. Helps keep blood sugar levels stable and/or helps with cravings in those with diabetes.Health Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when taken internally)30. Eczema – in addition to taking it internally, many have success applying it externally, some don't31. Skin problems32. Toenail fungus33. Hot flashes34. Bleeding hemorrhoids (can also be applied externally twice a day)35. HIV36. Head lice37. Improvements in menstruation regarding pain/cramps and heavy blood flow38. Migraines (with regular use)39. Mononucleosis40. Parasites41. Thrush42. Relieve gallbladder pain43. Has helped some people improve symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, results have shown subsequent thyroid blood tests becoming normal44. Energy boost45. Flaky, dry skin46. May relieve acid reflux and indigestion when taken with each meal47. Adrenal fatigue48. Alzheimers49. H. pylori50. Candida albicans51. Asthma, even in children52. Autism53. Cholesterol - improves HDL ('good' cholesterol) to LDL ('bad' cholesterol) ratio in people with high cholesterol54. Chronic fatigue55. Circulation/feeling cold all the time56. Stronger immune system57. Mental Clarity58. Depression59. Helps with inflammation in CrohnsHealth Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when applied topically)60. Athletes foot61. Back pain/sore muscles62. Canker sores63. Acne64. Cellulite65. Herpes (applied topically and taken internally)66. Genital warts (through topical application over 6 weeks, and coconut oil enemas twice a day depending on the location of the warts)67. Circumcision healing – although I am personally against circumcision, I have read that coconut oil is a really great healer for this.Cooking68. Use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing other oils/butter in recipes with coconut oil.69. Replacement for butter/lard/Crisco/PAM in it’s solid form – greasing pans, pie crusts, etc.70. Replacement for various oils in liquid form – baking, cooking, sautéing, etc.71. Nutritional supplement – melt and add to smoothies.Other Uses72. Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over exposed skin. Keeps insects off better than anything with Deet! Tons safer too.73. Great for dogs and cats for general wellness. Just add a teaspoon to their water bowl daily.74. Goo Gone - just mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda into a paste. Apply to the “sticky” area and let it set for a minute. Then scrub off with an old toothbrush or the scrubby side of a sponge.75. Chewing Gum in Hair Remover – just rub some coconut oil over the stuck chewing gum, leave in for about 30 minutes, then roll the gum between your fingertip. Voila! It’s out!76. Polish Furniture - coconut oil with a little bit of lemon juice to polish wood furniture. However, I recommend you test it first on a very small, unobtrusive part of your furniture to make sure it works the way you’d like.77. Polishing Bronze - all you have to do is rub a little oil into a cotton towel and then wipe down the statue. It cleans and helps deepen the color of your bronze.78. Seasoning animal hide drums79. Seasoning cookware80. Moisturizing and cleaning leather products

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Camping is one of my favorite parts about summer, but I will admit, it can sometimes be stressful, especially with small children or large groups. Here are some ideas to help your next camping trip run smoother (and taste more delicious!):

1) Hand-washing station. Set up a jug of hand-washing water and mount a paper towel roll holder on top of the jug using bungee cord hooks wrapped around the jug and hooked at the top. No more misplacing the paper towels or dropping them in the dirt!

2) Toilet paper dispenser. Use an old coffee can or other plastic container as a toilet paper dispenser. Make a slit in the container to pull the toilet paper from. Make a handle out of bailing twine or something like it.

3) Save the matches! Use an old baby food container or other plastic, water proof container to keep your matches in. Glue a patch of sandpaper to the inside of the container to strike your matches on.4) Spice storage. Save empty tic-tac containers and use them to store spices while you camp. They’re a good size for camping, and easy to label and see what’s inside.

5) Hang your pots and pans. Wrap a belt around a tree and attach some plain, cheap metal hooks to the belt. Hang your pots there to let them dry and keep the picnic table uncluttered.

6) Campfire cones. These look super yummy! Wrap a waffle cone in tin foil and stuff it with fruit, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and anything else you can think of. Fold the foil over the top and cook for 5-7 minutes over hot coals. http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/11527/camp-fire-food

7) Campfire starters. Before you head for the mountains, dip some circular cotton pads in wax and let dry. Take a pack of them along with you for compact and easy fire-starters.

8) Mini oil lamps. Make mini oil lamps out of travel-size toiletry containers. Cute and convenient! http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-Size-Oil-Lamp9) Keep the bugs away. If you burn a bundle of sage with your campfire, it will repel mosquitos and other bugs.10) Water jug lamp. To light your whole tent, simply strap a head lamp to a gallon jug of water, turning the light in toward the jug.11) Anti-tick solution. I think ticks are one of nature’s creepiest creations. Here’s a natural solution you can spray in your shoes, socks, and pant cuffs to keep the nasties away: 1 part tea tree oil to 2 parts water.12) Wood stove top. Create a natural stove top by cutting a log sitting vertically into triangle sections (like a pizza), but don’t cut all the way down. You want the log to stay put together. Light the middle of the log and it creates a place to heat your pot or pan.13) Protect your clothes for packing. When packing up your dirty shoes after some fun in the outdoors, wrap them in a shower cap to keep them from getting mud all over your clothes.http://www.myclevernest.com/2012/06/camping-with-baby-18-things-ill-never.html14) Foil dinners. Don’t foil your dinner–make foil dinners! One of the best parts of camping, in my opinion. It’s amazing how many things you can cook over a fire in foil. Here’s a link to 50 dishes you can make: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/50-things-to-grill-in-foil/index.html15) Orange cakes. Make a personal-size chocolate cake or brownie using a gutted orange and cook over the fire. Looks fun to make and delicious to eat! http://www.ljcfyi.com/2010/07/campfire-orange-cakes.htm